Environmental Protecton Agency

Environmentalists are calling on the federal government to investigate the language used by Virginia’s largest utility - Dominion Power.

The company invites customers to support green power by paying an extra fee, but critics say one source of energy included in that program causes more air pollution than coal.

Dominion’s Pittsylvania Power Station is the largest biomass plant in the East - burning 150 truckloads of wood each day. The company has a smaller plant in Wise County and has switched three others from burning coal to biomass. Dan Genest speaks for Dominion.

The E-P-A’s new rule to drastically curb carbon pollution is now playing a key role in the Virginia Senate race.

It was no secret here at the Capitol the E-P-A was getting ready to roll out its new rule to limit carbon emissions. But that doesn't mean incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner is ready to take a stance. "I'm still looking at - I still think we need to look at it. I'm glad they're giving 120 days for the comment because it's obviously very complicated and got huge implications."

Later today, the Environmental Protection Agency will take a big step toward reducing the risks of climate change – announcing new limits on electric companies responsible for about 40% of the carbon in our atmosphere. At the Southern Environmental Law Center, Senior Attorney Frank Rambo says states and utilities must then figure out how best to reach those goals.